Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are told the economy is improving and now is the time to secure multi-annual funding. The Minister would have the support of everyone on this side of House in going back to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to demand this money. The money about which were talking, in terms of public investment, is very small but the money it can leverage from the private sector is very significant. It has been demonstrated that jobs can be created. The importance of the built heritage is beyond question and we know that many elements of that built heritage are crumbling before our eyes, so investment is needed.

The Minister referred the Heritage Council, which I salute and which is doing a tremendous job. What is outstanding about the work it is doing is the way in which it engages communities. It is actively involved in a meaningful way in convincing communities that they need to take ownership of the valuable heritage resources they have. However, it is starved of cash and it needs investment also.

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